Russia seeks to play down closure of Israel migration agency

Russian branch of charity with close ties to Israeli government shut down after Israeli criticism of Ukraine war

The Kremlin has insisted its decision to shut down the agency that processes Jewish migration to Israel should not be politicised", amid a widening rift between the two countries over Moscow's actions in Ukraine.

Last week Russia's justice ministry requested the liquidation of the Russian branch of the Jewish Agency, a private charity closely affiliated with the Israeli government that promotes migration to Israel.